CompleteCar
Search Ask Us Anything
Showing 41 - 49 results (out of a total of 49) found for "Micra" in Ask Us Anything

What small automatic hatchback has a big boot?

I am buying a small automatic hatchback between 2004 to 2008, with a 1.4-litre or smaller engine. This car will be doing low mileage but a good boot that is easy to load is a must.

What do you recommend?

Eamonn McAndrew (Mayo)

Mar 2012 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Eamonn,

Come back to us with your budget, but cars to consider include the Citroen C3, Ford Fiesta, perhaps the Ford Fusion, Honda Jazz, Mazda2 (also called the Demio as an import), Nissan Micra (called the March as an import), Opel Corsa, SEAT Ibiza, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Yaris and the Volkswagen Polo.

That's a long list, I know! It really depends on your budget. Our pick of all that lot would be the Honda Jazz given your requirement for a big boot that's easy to access.

Hope that helps.


Am I being ripped off for repairs on my Micra?

My six-year old Nissan Micra (that has never given me any problems) just suddenly won't start. Apparently the crankshaft and sensors need replacing, and the garage tells me it's a big job, it will take a couple of days of work (engine out etc.) and will cost €750 approximately. What do you think? Expensive or what?

Tricia McGovern (Glasgow)

Dec 2011 Filed under: fault

Expert answer

Hi Tricia,

Replacing the crankshaft is a big job for sure and if that is required then the price, including parts, does not seem unreasonable. However, I would be shocked if non-starting leads to the need to replace the actual crankshaft. Are you sure it's not just the crankshaft sensor? If so, the engine would not have to be taken out and the price seems over the top, even for a main dealer.

Send us a message in private with more details and we'll try to look into this for you.


Which car should I trade in?

I have a 2000 Micra with only 40,000 miles, its our second car. We also have an 2004 VW Passat 2.0-litre Diesel. Would I do better in the Scrapage Scheme with the Micra or trading in the Passat. We would like something similar to the Passat  or even a little smaller.

Donal Mc Menamin (Dublin)

Jun 2011 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Donal, 

That is a very good question, but one that you really might not have a choice on. The scrappage scheme ends in just six days, you would have to have scrapped the Micra and registered your new car by then to ensure that you get the scrappage allowance. Having said that, if you get a car that is already in stock then you would certainly probably be best getting the most amount of money possible for the lower value car and that will certainly be the Micra. 

As we have mentioned here before, Renault offer the most amount of money off a new car through the scrappage scheme so in effect if you bought something like a Megane or Fluence you could make your Micra very valuable. I am doubtful that you would want to go from a Passat to a Megane or Fluence however, despite the fact that you do mention you would get something smaller. 

The other side of this arguement is though, that you would have to put less money towards your new car if you traded in the Passat - so I guess that part really depends on your own circumstances. If you scrapped the Micra you would still be left with the Passat, which you will need to change again at some stage I am sure. Economically, it might make decent sense to hold on to the Micra. Just because it is old doesn't mean it has to go. It could last another few good years doing the job it has been doing well. If the Micra is costing you little or nothing now, it isn't likely to depreciate too hard, while you could maximise the value of your Passat by trading it in now rather than letting the mileage get too high. 

To be honest, the obvious choice for me, if you were intending getting something similar but not quite as big would be to go for the new Volkswagen Jetta. It isn't quite as big as the Passat but feels every bit as good. You didn't mention a budget to us, so if you need to be more specific then come back to us, but the new Jetta would be an ideal purchase. 


Which new small car would suit me best?

I am trying to decide what small car is best for me to buy. I currently own a 2007 Nissan Micra and I like the look of the new model. It has more rear passenger room and boot space as well as Bluetooth. I have also read a review stating that the Hyundai i10 is better overall. I think the i10 is bit small space wise and think the i20 would be better. However I heard Hyundais are not reliable. I disliked driving the new Opel Corsa. The Volkswagen Golf/Polo and Toyota Auris are also too expensive for me.

What do you recommend?

Jacqueline Lynch (Dublin)

Jun 2011 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Jacqueline,

There are a lot of questions there. Let's go through them. The Hyundai i10 is indeed better than the new Nissan Micra, but the latter comes with lots of equipment as standard and you will probably get the best price for your own Micra from a Nissan dealer. Hyundais are reliable - very reliable in fact. The i20 would definitely offer more space than the i10 though it costs €2,000 more.

I think you should try a Mazda2, which is a car we really rate here on CompleteCar.ie. Otherwise, the Hyundai i20 could make an ideal purchase.

I hope this helps and let us know how you get on.


How much for a Nissan Micra crankshaft sensor?

Hi, I have a 1999 Nissan Micra. The crankshaft sensor needs to be replaced. Mechanic told me the part alone will cost €70. Seems expensive? Can you confirm price please?

Ciaran O'Neill (Dublin)

May 2011 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Ciaran,

This really doesn't seem all that expensive to us. You could ring your local Nissan dealer and ask for the price if you wish to check it. They're likely to need the registration number or chassis number. It may well be possible to find this part cheaper online, but bear in mind that it's not the mechanic's job to go out and do this. They will use either the main dealer or a motor factor they use all the time.

One other thing to remember is that, if a mechanic sources a part for you, they are responsible for it being the right one. If you go out and get it to give to the mechanic, and there are then issues with it, it's potentially your responsibility and you could be charged twice for fitting.

Anyway, in summary, that price does not seem expensive at all.


Mitsubishi Colt or Toyota Yaris?

Just looking for advice on which is the best small automatic car. My wife is looking at a Mitsubishi Colt versus a Toyota Yaris. I've heard some bad reports on the Yaris automatic and I am wondering if these are unfounded. She currently has a Nissan Micra 1.2 Auto.

Tom Brady (Drogheda)

Mar 2011 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Tom,

Is this a new or used car you would be buying? A new Toyota Yaris comes with the MultiMode transmission and a 1.3-litre VVTi petrol engine, which will cost you €18,285.

A Mitsubishi Colt automatic with a 1.3-litre engine will cost you €15,450 and that is quite a bit less. 

A Ford Fiesta 1.4 Style Auto would come in at €18,735 and this would be a really nice car. 

The best bet for us would be a Hyundai i20 1.4 Deluxe Auto, which comes in at €16,995 and that is a super little car. If it is a straight choice between the Yaris and Colt I think I'd save the €2,835 and have the Colt. 

Come back to us if you're buying second-hand, as the story may be a different one.


What will I change my Micra for?

I have a 2003 Nissan Micra. The 'bubble' shape means that the inside of the windscreen gets very misty in wet weather. I'd like to get a similar five-door hatchback, but without the condensation problem.

What would you suggest?

Thanks.

Natalie Mcgettigan (Dublin)

May 2010 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi there,

We could do with a little more information. What is your budget and how many miles are on your Micra?


First car for a student?

I want a good first car.  I am a female student. Can you help? My budget is between €1,000 - €2,000

Helen Ryan (Limerick)

May 2010 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hello Helen

Thank you for your enquiry. In this instance, we are going to look on the website beepbeep.ie, because that is the official classified website of SIMI, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry. Because we are looking at something on a budget we want to get something with as much history on it and as much security as possible for you. On that site, all cars come with a history check and they are also covered by the consumer protection act. 

A couple of things are important here. One is that your car is cheap and the second is that it will be reliable and I suppose, attractive would be good too?

You could never accuse it of being sexy, but this Nissan Micra on sale at a dealership in Drogheda has done 80,000 miles and has had only two owners. It will cost you just €1,550 and will be cheap to run, insure and service:

http://tinyurl.com/3y9m5fh

This Toyota Yaris from 1999 has done 130,000 miles and while that might sound like a lot, this little car is well able for it and this could be a decent little buy that won't cause you too much heartache:

http://tinyurl.com/3ydjl87

How about this? A 1995 Opel Corsa, which has only done 18,466 miles and has an NCT until early next year. That will cost you just €1,250:

http://tinyurl.com/3a59low

However, what I really think would be a great first car for you would be the Ford Ka, which is a great little runabout and still looks funky. This 1999 model has only covered 52,000 miles and has an NCT until 01/11. It is advertised at €1,850 but I reckon you could get it as a straight deal for a little less:

http://tinyurl.com/378vt9h

Let us know if any of these don't float your boat and we will put on our thinking caps again!


What do you recommend as a first car for new driver?

I'm thinking of buying my first car but I don't know much about cars so I don't really know what I should be shopping for. I'm a 20-year-old student and I have about €1,000 to spend. I'm a learner driver so I'd like something small, easy to drive and cheap to run. I found a nice second hand Ford Ka and wondered whether this would be suitable for me?

Susan Murphy (Blarney, Co. Cork)

May 2010 Filed under: learner

Expert answer

When you are starting off you need something that is as reliable as possible and won't cost you too much to tax, run or repair. Usually, the advice would be to make it Japanese because when you are spending a small amount of money you want the most reliable car possible and the Japanese car manufacturers have been making cheap, small runabouts better than anyone else for decades. Something like a Toyota Starlet or Nissan Micra won't be glamorous, but will usually start first time and they are pretty easy to get parts for.

I can understand why you would want the Ka, as it looks funky and its styling has aged really well. If you are going to look at a Ka, there are a few things we would urge you to pay attention to. Firstly, check if this car has power steering because early models didn't have it as standard and one without power steering could be a headache (or rather arm-ache) to park. Rust can also be a problem too so check for this on the door sills and rear wings and on the tailgate. Check the suspension is ok too as this is a costly enough repair to put right. 

Obviously as you are spending quite a small amount of money you can't expect it to be perfect but check these things and that the engine is running reasonably smoothly and this should be quite a nice little car. 

 

 


-->